MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 91 



blisters around the coronet, after which the animal should be turned 

 out on soft ground for several months. When necessary to use the 

 animal the toes should be well shortened and shoes with thickened 

 heels or heel calks applied. Keep the feet soft by the use of foot 

 baths, poultices, or the application of a leather pact, tar, and oakum. 



SIDEBONES. 



89. Sidebone is an ossification (turning into bone) of the lateral 

 cartilage, frequently resulting from improper leveling of the foot. 

 Horses with flat feet and weak quarters are predisposed to this 

 disease. 



Causes. — This disease is common in heavy animals working on 

 hard pavements and is due to concussion; improper preparation of 

 the foot in shoeing, one side (usually the outside) being left higher 

 than the other, thus increasing the concussion on the lateral carti- 

 lage on the high side; injuries to the region of the quarter and heels 

 by treads, wire cuts, etc. 



Symptoms. — A hard unyielding condition of the lateral cartilage, 

 with or without lameness. The affected side of the foot contracts, 

 as a result of lack of expansion. Lameness is increased by fast travel 

 on hard roads and by a hard, dry condition of the hoof. 



Treatment. — If lameness is present, first remove the shoe and 

 level the foot, then reduce the inflamation by cold foot baths and 

 poultices, followed by the application .of a blister and a rest of four 

 to six weeks. If lameness persists repeat the blister and rest. In 

 shoeing an animal afflicted with sidebones level the foot carefully. 

 If the foot is aft'ected on one side only and contraction has resulted, 

 the web of the shoe should be widened sufliciently to extend out to 

 where the normal foot would be. A plain shoe with rolled toe is 

 recommended. Frog pressure produces soreness and must be carefully 

 avoided. 



CONTRACTED FEET. 



90. Contracted feet refers to an unnatural shrinking or narrowing 

 of the feet at the quarters and heels. It is most frequently seen in 

 the front feet. The feet of some horses are iiaturally narrow, resem- 

 bling in shape the feet of a mule. 



Causes. — Lack of frog pressure is always the primary cause; 

 contri])utory causes are, lack of exercise and lack of moisture, thrush, 

 the continued use of heel calks, concaving the bearing surface of 

 the shoe back to the heels, and opening the heels with the knife. 



